Home / Sports / Italy's World Cup Odds Defy Qualification Woes
Italy's World Cup Odds Defy Qualification Woes
25 Mar
Summary
- Italy has 30-1 odds to win the 2026 World Cup despite not qualifying yet.
- The Azzurri must win UEFA playoffs against Northern Ireland and others.
- Bookmakers cite roster quality for high odds, ignoring recent World Cup failures.
Italy, a nation with four World Cup titles, currently faces an uncertain path to the 2026 tournament. Despite their rich history, the Azzurri's odds to win the 2026 World Cup are surprisingly set at 30-1, tying them for the tenth-best chance at DraftKings Sportsbook. This strong betting position exists even though Italy has not yet secured qualification.
The team must first overcome Northern Ireland on March 25, and then face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31 in the UEFA playoffs to enter the main draw. While Italy is favored in these upcoming matches, their failure to qualify from similar positions in the past two cycles raises questions.
Bookmakers like Caesars and BetMGM are setting these odds based on the perceived quality of the current Italian squad, placing them among the top 15 teams globally. Models consider Italy to be a strong contender, rating them as only slightly weaker than Spain. Despite their recent troubled World Cup history, including group stage exits in 2010 and 2014, the team's roster depth is the primary factor.
Bettor interest also aligns with bookmakers' assessments, with Italy receiving significant wager volume. Should Italy successfully qualify for the World Cup, anticipation and public backing are expected to increase, potentially leading to even shorter odds.
